“A good start has been made and whatever criticisms people might make of this Government, I don’t think anyone could question our clarity of purpose and our strength of character when it comes to tackling this particular issue and it must be tackled.

“It must be tackled.”

He also reflected on the tragedies of the year, including the downing of MH17 and the loss of MH370.

“Our thoughts are with (their families) at this sad Christmas,” he said.

Mr Abbott recognised the service of Australian military personnel overseas, especially those fighting IS in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister paid special tribute to the work of his chief of staff Peta Credin, who he described as “the fiercest political warrior I’ve ever worked with”.

He also thanked those who keep everyone in Parliament House “safe”, especially in a year “when our threat level has risen from medium to high”.